Relativistic Invariance and Modal Interpretations

A number of arguments have been given to show that the modal interpretation of ordinary nonrelativistic quantum mechanics cannot be consistently extended to the relativistic setting. We find these arguments inconclusive. However, there is a prima facie reason to think that a tension exists between t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhilosophy of science Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 557 - 583
Main Authors Earman, John, Ruetsche, Laura
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 01.10.2005
University of Chicago Press
Cambridge University Press
Subjects
Algebra
Automorphisms
Complex systems
Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge
Ergodic theory
Hyperplanes
Philosophy
Quantum field theory
Quantum mechanics
Quantum theory
Science
Spacetime
Spectral resolution
Subalgebras
Von Neumann algebra
Science philosophy
Invariance
Quantum Mechanics
Relativity
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Summary:A number of arguments have been given to show that the modal interpretation of ordinary nonrelativistic quantum mechanics cannot be consistently extended to the relativistic setting. We find these arguments inconclusive. However, there is a prima facie reason to think that a tension exists between the modal interpretation and relativistic invariance; namely, the best candidate for a modal interpretation adapted to relativistic quantum field theory, a prescription due to Rob Clifton (2000), comes out trivial when applied to a number of systems of physical interest. However, it is far from clear whether this difficulty for the modal interpretation is traceable to relativistic invariance per se or to the infinite number of degrees of freedom involved. In any case, the proponents of the modal interpretation have work to do.
ISSN:0031-8248
1539-767X
DOI:10.1086/505448